Mangaluru: The relentless rains this year in Dakshina Kannada, has left most schools unable to grow vegetables in their kitchen gardens. As a result, the kitchen gardens which aid in the midday meals initiative, will now come up only post-Dasara vacations in the region.The school authorities told TOI that while some started gardening earlier in the year, many have not been able to resume cultivation this season. Those who had started the process said that all crops have been damaged due to the rains. “Last year too, we faced a similar issue, but somehow managed to start cultivation. However, this time it has not been possible. Whatever we have planted so far, has rotted due to heavy rains. We are starting again after Dasara vacation, after completing the socio-economic survey,” said Aravinda Kudla, a headmaster of Govt Higher Primary School at Moodambail, Bantwal taluk.Another govt school teacher, Nalini S, from a remote village in Belthangady, added that they were unable to cultivate any plants due to the rain. “Usually, we start plantation by the end of July. This year, we are not ready till date,” said Nalini.The school kitchen gardens in Dakshina Kannada grow Malabar spinach, okra, bottle gourd, ridge gourd, amaranthus, cowpea, cucumber, ash gourd, brinjal, pumpkin, and other leafy vegetables extensively. Dresil Lilly Menezes, head teacher at DKZP Higher Primary School, Bokkapatna-3, said they started a kitchen garden two weeks before Dasara vacations. “We expect to harvest the veggies in another month,” she said. The yield is utilised in midday meals and serves several purposes. Jnanesh MP, executive officer of Akshara Dasoha in Dakshina Kannada, said, “These kitchen gardens ensure more nutrition to the midday meals. The scheme does provide finance to buy vegetables, but whatever is grown in the school is an addition. Many are buying from nearby stores as gardens are not ready yet. Secondly, it brings children closer to nature, and thirdly, children will be eating what they have grown,” said Jnanesh.
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